Obituary: Jane Acton

Jane Fendrich Acton, 81, of Idyllwild, beloved wife and mother, passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov, 18, 2007, surrounded by her family. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on Sept. 11, 1926, she was the only child of the Rev. Dr. Joseph L. and Marion Fendrich.

Jane was always involved in her community, helping to establish programs to provide needed services and assistance. These included the Family Services Association of the San Jacinto Valley, The David Kahn Senior Center, the first Head Start of the valley, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Idyllwild, and the Unitarian Fellowship in San Jacinto.

While raising her family, Jane continued her education, receiving her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from United States International University in San Diego. She enjoyed a long, successful career as a psychologist, first at the Child Study Center in Riverside and later at the Hemet Counseling Center. She retired in 1997.

Upon retirement, Jane and Sid lived in Santa Barbara and Mexico before settling in Idyllwild.

Jane had a wide range of interests, including reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She was a published poet as a teenager and had a lifelong passion for learning and promoting education.

Jane was fascinated by the Mayan culture and loved nature, especially the beach and mountains. She will be remembered by many as an amazing woman, a caring humanitarian whose humility, strength, intelligence, optimism and compassion touched many lives. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Hemet.

She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Sidney Acton; her 11 children, Penni, Jodi, Scott, Gayle, Kim, Shelley, Chris, Luana, Spunky, Jaime and Josh; as well as 24 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jane Acton Memorial Scholarship at the Bank of Hemet, 1600 E. Florida Ave., Hemet, CA 92544.